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Journey across North America's Great Lakes, the world’s largest freshwater system. Our Great Lakes cruises connect busy cities, historic towns, and beautiful scenery in the United States and Canada. From the majestic Niagara Falls to bustling cities like Chicago and Toronto, each stop offers something special. Travel through the connected waters of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, and discover the beauty and rich history of this region.
Highlights of a Great Lakes Cruise Ship Itinerary:
Cruising the Great Lakes offers a mix of urban and natural scenery, combining city skylines like Chicago and Toronto with forested islands, rocky coasts, and open freshwater views.
Passengers on a Great Lakes cruise can explore major cities (museums, architecture, history), experience outdoor pursuits (hiking trails, kayaking, scenic drives), and visit cultural and historic sites like lighthouses or regional heritage areas.
These cruises span the U.S.–Canada border waters, enabling cross-border exploration. Local cuisine, craft beers, lakeside communities and friendly towns add to the cultural richness.
Great Lakes cruises typically last between 8 – 16 days, with cruise fares noted from approximately US$6,799 to US$12,900 per person.
The best Great Lakes cruises run from late May through mid-September. Major stops include Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, Quebec City and Mackinac Island.
The Great Lakes are home to big cities and small towns, and choosing one of the top Great Lakes cruises will acquaint you with both as you visit the most popular ports:
Adventure seekers on our Great Lakes cruise ships rejoice at all that the Thousand Islands archipelago has to offer those hoping for a more active tour. The name "Thousand Islands" underestimates the some 1,800 islands that make up this chain in the St. Lawrence River between the U.S. and Canadian borders.
What was once a getaway for the elite in the 19th century, is now a great place for avid fishers, boaters, and outdoor explorers.
This makes for an exciting day when you’re traveling on a Great Lakes cruise ship.
Tucked between the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan, tiny Mackinac Island State Park is a great stop on our Great Lakes cruises that pass through Lake Huron.
As you explore the winding trails, enjoy the pristine nature made up of virgin woods and limestone, including the Arch Rock limestone formation. The small island is also home to Fort Mackinac on the coast, dating back to 1780, and the Mackinac Art Museum. From cute shops to cozy cafes, Mackinac Island makes for a great day on any of our Great Lakes cruise ships.
Our Great Lakes cruises are aboard one of the finest vessels navigating the region - the luxurious and innovative Le Bellot. This exquisite ship features comfortable and spacious cabins, excellent onboard amenities, exciting itineraries, and gourmet cuisine.
Most of the best Great Lakes cruises range from 8-16 days and cost between $6,799 - $12,900 per person. There are many different destinations and sites you will visit during any one of these cruises on the Great Lakes - both natural and manmade. The endless activities you’ll experience make these lakes and river cruises definitely worth it!
Great Lakes cruises frequently range from 8 to 16 days, with common itineraries around 11 days.
The season for the best Great Lakes cruises runs from late May through mid-September, from the end of the North American spring season through summer and into early autumn. The most popular time to cruise the Great Lakes is during the generally sunny summer months of July and August when temperatures can reach into the 90s F during the day.
An easy way to remember the names of the five Great Lakes is to think of the acronym HOMES: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. You might be interested to know that together, the Great Lakes is the largest freshwater system on earth and accounts for more than 20% of the surface freshwater in the world. So how much water is in the Great Lakes? About 6 quadrillion gallons!
Niagara Falls is right between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario on the Niagara River and makes for an exciting day on almost all of our Great Lakes cruise ships.
The best Great Lakes cruises are ideally suited for adults. But inquisitive youngsters and teens might enjoy these cruises on the Great Lakes too, if they like to stroll through museums, enjoy nature tours (like Niagara Falls) and like urban exploration like walking tours of cities.
Yes, Great Lakes cruises are well-suited for older travelers due to moderate activity levels, rich cultural and scenic opportunities, and itineraries that combine nature, history and comfort. With small-ship environments, accessible ports of call, and flexible shore excursions, the Great Lakes region provides a relaxing yet engaging experience for seniors.
There are five lakes that collectively comprise the largest freshwater system on the planet, known as the Great Lakes. By volume from largest to smallest, the lakes are:
Lake Superior
Lake Michigan
Lake Huron
Lake Erie
Lake Ontario
Together, the Great Lakes store more than 20% of the world's freshwater, covering a surface area of 94,600 square miles; half of the water is in Lake Superior alone (or 3 quadrillion gallons!).
The Great Lakes split the border between Canada and the United States, but Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is entirely within the United States. Because of this, that means that the state of Michigan actually has the most coastline of freshwater of any state in the United States.
Cruises on the Great Lakes visit popular Midwest towns and cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Niagara Falls, in addition to some Canadian destinations like Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City, via the St. Lawrence River.
A marvel of modern engineering, the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan connects Lake Superior to the Lower Great Lakes through a set of parallel locks.
The Locks are maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers, who have nicknamed them the "Linchpin of the Great Lakes."
Experience the Soo Locks through any of our Great Lake cruises visiting Sault Ste. Marie.
